NEW YORK, NY — Police in New York City are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of trying to sexually assault an 83-year-old woman inside her Manhattan apartment building. The New York Police Department says the incident happened Monday morning in Inwood, when the suspect allegedly followed the woman into the building shortly before 9 a.m.
According to investigators, the woman was entering the building when the man exposed himself, made sexual advances and tried to force his way inside. Police said she fought him off during a brief struggle before he fled. Emergency medical workers treated her at the scene for minor injuries.
NYPD says the suspect followed the woman into the Inwood building
The alleged attack took place in the Inwood neighborhood in upper Manhattan, a residential area where apartment buildings and walk-up homes sit close together. Police say the suspect shadowed the woman into the building rather than approaching her from outside, then escalated the encounter once she was inside.
That sequence is central to the case because investigators are treating it as an attempted rape and asking anyone who saw the man before or after the encounter to come forward. The NYPD said the suspect made sexual advances before trying to push inside the apartment. The woman was able to resist, which ended the attack quickly enough for the suspect to escape.
Surveillance video and clothing details released to the public
To help identify the man, the NYPD released surveillance video and a physical description. Police said the suspect has a beard and was last seen wearing black pants, a black jacket, boots and a black cap.
Those details may help residents, transit riders and building staff recognize him if they crossed paths with him near the scene. Police have not announced an arrest, and the investigation remains active. The department is relying on community tips as it tries to determine where the suspect went after leaving the building.
Woman treated for minor injuries after struggling with attacker
Emergency medical workers responded after the woman managed to push the suspect away. Police said she was treated at the scene for minor injuries, and no further medical information was released.
The episode is a reminder of how quickly an ordinary morning can turn violent in a residential building. Even though the attack was brief, police say the woman had to physically fend off the suspect before he ran away. Officers have not said whether the woman and the suspect knew each other.
No arrest announced as detectives continue the investigation
As of Friday, police had not announced any arrest in the case. Investigators are still trying to identify the suspect and piece together his path before and after the reported attack. The NYPD said the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities have not publicly said whether they believe the man lives in the neighborhood, used public transit or had any other connection to the area. For now, the case depends on leads from the surveillance images and from anyone who may have seen the suspect around the building that morning.
How people can share tips with Crime Stoppers
The NYPD is asking anyone with information about the suspect or the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online or through the department’s social media channels.
Police said calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential. Anyone who recognizes the clothing, beard or other features from the released video is being urged to share what they know, even if they are not sure the information is significant. Detectives are hoping that small details may help identify the man wanted in connection with the attempted rape.